Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) is a free, publicly funded pre-K program for four-year-old children who live in New York City. Families in Queens use UPK to give their children a full school-day start before kindergarten. This guide explains what UPK is, who qualifies, what a UPK classroom does each day, and what to ask a program before you commit.
Baby Steps Daycare & Preschool is UPK approved in Forest Hills and Rego Park. Our UPK classrooms are approved by the NYC Department of Education (DOE). This guide uses the Baby Steps programs as a real example of how a UPK classroom in Queens is run.
What is UPK in New York City?
UPK is the New York City program that funds pre-kindergarten for four-year-olds. The DOE approves the programs that can offer it. A program can be a public school classroom or a community-based site, such as a daycare or preschool, that meets the approval requirements.
The program has one main purpose. UPK prepares children for kindergarten through structured early learning in a classroom designed for their age.
UPK is not the same as 3-K. 3-K is the DOE’s program for three-year-olds. UPK is for four-year-olds. If your child is three, read our guide to NYC 3-K and Pre-K vs. private daycare first.
Who is eligible for UPK in Queens?
UPK serves four-year-old children who live in New York City. Baby Steps describes its UPK classrooms as funded and DOE approved for eligible four-year-old New York City residents.
Eligibility and application rules belong to the DOE, and the DOE can change them. Check the DOE website for the current age cutoff, application dates, and steps before you apply. Do not rely on a blog post, including this one, for deadlines.
You can also call Baby Steps at (718) 440-9919. We can tell you whether your child fits our UPK classrooms and what to prepare.
Is UPK really free?
Yes. The UPK school day itself is free for eligible families, because the city funds it. Baby Steps states that its UPK classrooms are fully funded for eligible four-year-old New York City residents.
Free does not mean every hour of your child’s day is covered. A UPK program covers the school day. Many working families also need care before and after that time. At Baby Steps, children who need longer care can use the after-care program.
Ask each program the same question: “Which hours are free, and which hours cost extra?” The answer helps you compare programs fairly. Our guide to daycare costs in Queens shows you how to plan for the hours UPK does not cover.
What does a UPK day look like?
A UPK day mixes teacher-led learning with play. Baby Steps describes its curriculum as a blend of play-based exploration and structured early academics. Baby Steps lists 6.5 hours of attendance for its 4-to-5-year-old UPK classes.
A strong UPK classroom usually includes these parts:
- Group time. Children gather for songs, stories, and calendar talk.
- Early literacy. Children learn letters, sounds, and how stories work.
- Early math. Children count, sort, and recognize patterns.
- Hands-on play. Children build, pour, draw, and pretend together.
- Social learning. Children practice taking turns, sharing, and solving small conflicts.
- Meals and rest. Children eat, wash up, and reset during the day.
Play counts as learning at this age. A child who sorts buttons by color is learning math. A child who retells a story to a friend is learning language. Our guide to early STEM and problem-solving in toddlers and preschoolers shows how this works step by step.
What makes a program “UPK approved”?
A UPK approved program has passed the DOE’s approval process. The Baby Steps UPK page explains that a program must follow State rules to teach pre-kindergarten. These rules cover teacher preparation and training. They also cover knowledge of health and care practices that support child development.
Approval matters for three reasons:
- It confirms the program meets a public standard.
- It lets eligible families use their free UPK seat there.
- It tells you the classroom follows a set curriculum, not an improvised one.
Ask any program to show its approval. A program that is truly approved will say so clearly and will answer questions about it.
Where does Baby Steps offer UPK?
Baby Steps runs UPK classrooms at two of its three locations in Queens:
| Location | Address | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Location II — Forest Hills | 112-18 76th Road, Forest Hills, NY 11375 | Programs for ages 2 to 5, including UPK |
| Location III — Fleet Street, Rego Park | 64-11 Fleet Street, Rego Park, NY 11374 | Programs for ages 2 to 5, including UPK |
| Location I — Alderton Street, Rego Park | 6607 Alderton Street, Rego Park, NY 11374 | Infant care for ages 6 to 24 months |
Learn more on the Forest Hills preschool and daycare page or the Rego Park daycare page. For the full program details, read about our UPK approved curriculum.
How do I choose a UPK program in Queens?
Choose a UPK program by visiting it, asking clear questions, and watching the classroom in action. The same five checks work for any program in the borough:
- Approval. Is the program approved by the DOE for UPK?
- Hours. What hours does the school day cover, and what hours cost extra?
- Learning approach. How does the program balance play and structured academics?
- Classroom feel. Do children look engaged and calm? Do teachers get down to the child’s level?
- Logistics. Is the location easy to reach every day? Does the program offer meals?
Baby Steps serves fresh, balanced meals and wholesome snacks, and its enrollment terms list daily meals two times a day.
Use our questions to ask a daycare provider as a printable checklist for your tour. Then compare programs side by side.
When should I start looking?
Start looking as early as you can before your child turns four. Popular programs fill up, and the DOE application has its own timeline. Early visits also give you time to compare two or three options without pressure.
A simple timeline works well:
- Months before the school year: research programs and read reviews.
- A few weeks later: tour two or three programs.
- After touring: apply through the DOE process and talk to the program about seats.
- Before the first day: finish the program’s own paperwork.
The last step is where many families get stuck. We explain it in how to enroll your child in daycare in Queens.
How can I tell my child is ready for UPK?
Readiness at four years old means curiosity, simple routines, and a few social skills. It does not mean reading or writing. A child who is ready can usually:
- Follow a two-step instruction, such as “put your coat away and sit on the rug.”
- Spend a short stretch away from a parent with some comfort.
- Play beside or with other children.
- Show interest in books, drawing, and counting.
Not every child shows every sign, and that is fine. UPK exists to build these skills. Our preschool readiness guide goes deeper, and our NYC kindergarten readiness checklist shows what comes after UPK.
How does UPK connect to what comes before and after?
UPK sits in the middle of a longer path. A child can start at infant care, move to a toddler program, join UPK at four, and then enter kindergarten. Each step builds on the one before.
- Before UPK: the toddler education program builds language, movement, and early social skills.
- During UPK: structured early learning prepares a child for kindergarten.
- After UPK: kindergarten starts, and some families use after-school care.
Moving from daycare to a preschool classroom is a big change for a young child. Our guide to the transition from daycare to preschool offers calm, practical steps for the first weeks.
What should I do next?
Take three small steps this week:
- Check the current UPK eligibility and application steps on the DOE website.
- Write down the five checks above and bring them on every tour.
- Book a visit.
Baby Steps welcomes UPK-eligible children at its Forest Hills and Fleet Street locations in Queens. Contact Baby Steps or schedule an appointment to see a UPK classroom. You can also call (718) 440-9919 or email babystepsny@gmail.com.
